I'm mildly obsessed with Parisian culture. It happened when I started planning my five year wedding anniversary - a trip to Paris. I read all the blogs, started taking French and read every single Parisian based memoir I could get my hands on. And when I got there? It was just as wonderful as I'd hoped. We had an amazing vacation, were even mistaken for natives a couple of times (mon dieu!), and returned home with tons of pictures and trinkets to remind us of our time there.
It was so wonderful, in fact, that my adoration of Parisian sophistication has persisted. I still read the blogs and am often heard to exclaim over how the table manners here in restaurants just doesn't compare to Paris. (Seriously though, it doesn't. Every time I go to a restaurant it feels like I've entered a mess hall. Just because a place is crowded doesn't mean you have to yell. Just lean in a little closer and talk a little softer. The ambience is better and it's more romantic.)
Lately I discovered a wonderful little Parisian shop online that specializes in only the very best skincare, makeup and hair products. The owner has a store in Paris but also ships worldwide via her online store (it's called Oh My Cream!). I can't resist it! I painstakingly translate the articles in their online magazine and browse through the products, entranced. If only I'd known it was there when I went last summer!
There's just something about the French. I'd love to go back to Paris again, as well as travel through the rest of France, but there's a few different places I need to see first. In the meantime, I will continue to prowl the blogs and shop online, pampering myself with little tastes of French elegance.
Showing posts with label Paris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paris. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Getting Back on the Ball
For some people, traveling to Europe can really screw up their internal clock. Normally, I'd say I was the same, but I will admit that my recent trip to Paris did nothing of the sort. I was entirely jet lag free the whole time and returned to my home time zone with ease. (Amazing, I know. But it's true.)
No, what has been weirdly difficult is getting back on the ball. I can't seem to get blog posts done on time (aside from today's, finally!), I haven't managed to get my manuscript off to the editor when I'm practically jumping out of my skin I'm so excited to have her look at it and getting back on track at work has been an arduous undertaking. Sure, some of that was due to the usual work of laundry and such after a vacation, and true, my water heater did crap out on me as soon as we got home and leaked all over our basement, leaving me without water and an additional large expense when I really didn't need it. But I never post late on my blog! It's a point of pride for me. And not getting my manuscript off to the editor immediately? Say it ain't so! I should be wading around my basement in rubber boots, unshowered as I reread my final draft before stuffing it in an envelope and putting it in the mail.
The only explanation I can come up with, is that I'm still in vacation mode. You know what I mean. That head space where you sleep in, take life slow and stop for a three hour coffee/lunch whenever the mood pleases you. God, I love that head space! And it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have a day job. But I've got to get back to it! So, even though I can't stand to let go of my Parisian attitude, I've got to buck up and get back to work. Because what I really want, (even more than a three hour lunch) is to see my book in print. And posting this on time is my first step.
No, what has been weirdly difficult is getting back on the ball. I can't seem to get blog posts done on time (aside from today's, finally!), I haven't managed to get my manuscript off to the editor when I'm practically jumping out of my skin I'm so excited to have her look at it and getting back on track at work has been an arduous undertaking. Sure, some of that was due to the usual work of laundry and such after a vacation, and true, my water heater did crap out on me as soon as we got home and leaked all over our basement, leaving me without water and an additional large expense when I really didn't need it. But I never post late on my blog! It's a point of pride for me. And not getting my manuscript off to the editor immediately? Say it ain't so! I should be wading around my basement in rubber boots, unshowered as I reread my final draft before stuffing it in an envelope and putting it in the mail.
The only explanation I can come up with, is that I'm still in vacation mode. You know what I mean. That head space where you sleep in, take life slow and stop for a three hour coffee/lunch whenever the mood pleases you. God, I love that head space! And it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have a day job. But I've got to get back to it! So, even though I can't stand to let go of my Parisian attitude, I've got to buck up and get back to work. Because what I really want, (even more than a three hour lunch) is to see my book in print. And posting this on time is my first step.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Paris
On Sunday night my husband and I returned from our trip to Paris. It was an amazing vacation. Obviously we didn't see it all (I think that's impossible in Paris), but we saw a lot. We wandered through side streets, hit the tourist hot spots, tried out what little French I'd managed to master before we left, and had a wonderful time in each others company. It was the best anniversary a couple could ask for.
There's just something about Paris. Its every avenue drips with history, every building, alley and doorway is something special. I did a lot of research before we left, which helped a lot when it came to understanding the etiquette of going into shops, ordering at restaurants and so forth. I've heard a lot of people say the French are rude or snobby but in my experience this couldn't have been further from the truth. Everyone I interacted with had impeccable manners. The French conduct themselves in a way that is just all together more classy. From the way they dress (no booty shorts or too tight tops or jeans, skank is not an embraced fashion choice there) to the way they talk in restaurants. In a tiny crowded bistro you never had to shout to be heard by your dinner companion. No one tried to talk over anyone else, there was a polite consideration for your fellow diners that you just don't see in North America. The difference was so pronounced that while we waited to board one of several flights home in Canada, I leaned over to my husband and whispered, "I miss the French." I'm a very proud Canadian so that tells you something.
Of course, the real star of Paris (after the history) is the food. Oh. My. God. The food. Everything was so fresh, with so much consideration put into the dishes, while at the same time being so startlingly simple. Being there for just that short time has taught me a lot about eating, about really enjoying my food and not settling for prepackaged garbage. Why have Doritos when you can have Pain au Chocolat? After such an extraordinary trip for my tastebuds I'm looking forward to simplifying, but also going for a slightly higher quality. And if I can find a bakery with good Pain au Chocolat, then I'll really be set.
Of course, our vacation curse struck again when we got home. (Every time we go on vacation, we come home and are struck by some kind of financial grenade). This time our water heater went kaput and leaked water all over our basement floor. So, that's getting replaced by the end of the week and we've been busy cleaning up and getting rid of the dank in our basement. (Which is also why this post is late). It's a financial expense we really don't need after a pricier vacation, but I'm not going to let it get me down. These things happen and this vacation was worth it!
There's just something about Paris. Its every avenue drips with history, every building, alley and doorway is something special. I did a lot of research before we left, which helped a lot when it came to understanding the etiquette of going into shops, ordering at restaurants and so forth. I've heard a lot of people say the French are rude or snobby but in my experience this couldn't have been further from the truth. Everyone I interacted with had impeccable manners. The French conduct themselves in a way that is just all together more classy. From the way they dress (no booty shorts or too tight tops or jeans, skank is not an embraced fashion choice there) to the way they talk in restaurants. In a tiny crowded bistro you never had to shout to be heard by your dinner companion. No one tried to talk over anyone else, there was a polite consideration for your fellow diners that you just don't see in North America. The difference was so pronounced that while we waited to board one of several flights home in Canada, I leaned over to my husband and whispered, "I miss the French." I'm a very proud Canadian so that tells you something.
Of course, the real star of Paris (after the history) is the food. Oh. My. God. The food. Everything was so fresh, with so much consideration put into the dishes, while at the same time being so startlingly simple. Being there for just that short time has taught me a lot about eating, about really enjoying my food and not settling for prepackaged garbage. Why have Doritos when you can have Pain au Chocolat? After such an extraordinary trip for my tastebuds I'm looking forward to simplifying, but also going for a slightly higher quality. And if I can find a bakery with good Pain au Chocolat, then I'll really be set.
Of course, our vacation curse struck again when we got home. (Every time we go on vacation, we come home and are struck by some kind of financial grenade). This time our water heater went kaput and leaked water all over our basement floor. So, that's getting replaced by the end of the week and we've been busy cleaning up and getting rid of the dank in our basement. (Which is also why this post is late). It's a financial expense we really don't need after a pricier vacation, but I'm not going to let it get me down. These things happen and this vacation was worth it!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Looming Deadlines
As a procrastinator, I kind of like deadlines. Not so much because of the heart stopping, head pounding stress involved, but because of the way they kick me into action. There's nothing like a looming deadline to get you to turn off twitter or facebook and actually get to work. As it turns out, I have several deadlines looming and they all happen to fall upon my quickly upcoming departure for a vacation to Paris. If you think one looming deadline is stimulating, then believe me, several is um... more so. By a lot. (Also gone with any possibility of spare time is my ability to write intelligent sentences.)
I should be stressed out, and in truth I am, but all these deadlines make me feel more alive. I have a purpose. Every morning I get up and a clattering of alarm bells goes off in my head, reminding me not to doddle; there's so much to do! So much to do! It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once. And although it may seem more stressful to have so many deadlines come due before a vacation, it's actually a relief. The best vacations are the ones you really feel you've earned. Not to mention, no one wants to come back from a trip and have their relaxation torn away by a waiting due date. I prefer to hold onto my post-vacation attitude as long as possible, thank you very much.
The key is organization and good time management. Neither of which I possess. So, I think it's going to get interesting.
As a side note, I'm having a wonderful time preparing for the trip. I'm reading so many Paris themed memoirs, guidebooks and fiction. The librarian looked me up and down as I picked up another stack of books today and muttered, "you must really love Paris, huh?" to which I smiled politely and nodded. No I didn't. I don't possess restraint like normal people. I gushed about my upcoming trip until she was very sorry she commented and practically had to shoo me away. Yep. That's my style.
I should be stressed out, and in truth I am, but all these deadlines make me feel more alive. I have a purpose. Every morning I get up and a clattering of alarm bells goes off in my head, reminding me not to doddle; there's so much to do! So much to do! It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once. And although it may seem more stressful to have so many deadlines come due before a vacation, it's actually a relief. The best vacations are the ones you really feel you've earned. Not to mention, no one wants to come back from a trip and have their relaxation torn away by a waiting due date. I prefer to hold onto my post-vacation attitude as long as possible, thank you very much.
The key is organization and good time management. Neither of which I possess. So, I think it's going to get interesting.
As a side note, I'm having a wonderful time preparing for the trip. I'm reading so many Paris themed memoirs, guidebooks and fiction. The librarian looked me up and down as I picked up another stack of books today and muttered, "you must really love Paris, huh?" to which I smiled politely and nodded. No I didn't. I don't possess restraint like normal people. I gushed about my upcoming trip until she was very sorry she commented and practically had to shoo me away. Yep. That's my style.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Parisian Chic - Not So Much
Sometimes there are events in your life that call into question everything you believe about yourself. Sometimes, they happen all at once. In the past month or so, the business I worked for was sold, leaving me without any job security. I've figured out that my dream of mastering even beginner's French before an upcoming trip to Paris is likely to go unfulfilled, and in the haste of preparations for the aforementioned trip, I've had no time to work on my manuscript at all. And then of course, there's Paris itself.
Despite the fact that I'm nearly giddy with excitement, I'm also pretty nervous. I'm not what you'd call Parisian Chic. To give you an example, I'm currently wearing a pair of jeans, my husband's socks and a t-shirt I bought almost ten years ago. Yep. Definitely not Parisian Chic. That doesn't mean I want to be immediately identified as a tourist though. I know I'll never pass for a true Parisian, but it'd be nice if pickpockets couldn't immediately pick me out of a crowd of a hundred.
I've been reading up a lot on Paris (and when I say a lot, I mean A LOT), from blogs to memoirs to guidebooks and they all point to one thing: the more stylish you are, the better service you'll get and the less trouble you'll get into with people trying to take advantage of the poor ignorant tourist.
Now, it would help a lot if I could speak French, but since that ship has sailed, I'm trying to up my chic for the trip. It isn't easy. Although I've never had a problem with my sense of style before, this trip has called into question my entire sense of fashion. I've realized I'm just not comfortable in a lot of the more stylish clothes. To break it down for you, I hate things that are uncomfortable. Freedom of movement is quintessential. Fabrics cannot be itchy or stiff and I'm uncomfortable in skirts. I just don't get how other women can wear them. Every time I put one on, I feel pretty until I step outside, the wind starts to blow and suddenly I'm in fear for my dignity. A walk through the park becomes a battle royale against showing complete strangers my underpants. (While at the same time, attempting to appear as though there isn't a problem). I find skinny jeans to be the most heinous invention ever put on this planet, same with animal print, and the bunions on my feet make "cute shoes" a hopeless dream.
So, you can see my problem. And although I can hold my head high and say with absolute conviction that I will never be the ugly tourist wearing kulats and socks with sandals, I'd also like to aim a little higher than that. I might not have Parisian style, but I'd still like to have style.
Despite the fact that I'm nearly giddy with excitement, I'm also pretty nervous. I'm not what you'd call Parisian Chic. To give you an example, I'm currently wearing a pair of jeans, my husband's socks and a t-shirt I bought almost ten years ago. Yep. Definitely not Parisian Chic. That doesn't mean I want to be immediately identified as a tourist though. I know I'll never pass for a true Parisian, but it'd be nice if pickpockets couldn't immediately pick me out of a crowd of a hundred.
I've been reading up a lot on Paris (and when I say a lot, I mean A LOT), from blogs to memoirs to guidebooks and they all point to one thing: the more stylish you are, the better service you'll get and the less trouble you'll get into with people trying to take advantage of the poor ignorant tourist.
Now, it would help a lot if I could speak French, but since that ship has sailed, I'm trying to up my chic for the trip. It isn't easy. Although I've never had a problem with my sense of style before, this trip has called into question my entire sense of fashion. I've realized I'm just not comfortable in a lot of the more stylish clothes. To break it down for you, I hate things that are uncomfortable. Freedom of movement is quintessential. Fabrics cannot be itchy or stiff and I'm uncomfortable in skirts. I just don't get how other women can wear them. Every time I put one on, I feel pretty until I step outside, the wind starts to blow and suddenly I'm in fear for my dignity. A walk through the park becomes a battle royale against showing complete strangers my underpants. (While at the same time, attempting to appear as though there isn't a problem). I find skinny jeans to be the most heinous invention ever put on this planet, same with animal print, and the bunions on my feet make "cute shoes" a hopeless dream.
So, you can see my problem. And although I can hold my head high and say with absolute conviction that I will never be the ugly tourist wearing kulats and socks with sandals, I'd also like to aim a little higher than that. I might not have Parisian style, but I'd still like to have style.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
The French Continues
I'm posting a little late today, probably because I was up late last night attempting to learn French. As some of you know, for several months now I've been trying to learn some rudimentary French with a few helpful apps on my phone, in preparation for an upcoming trip to Paris. Well, last night I looked at the calendar, counted down the days and then counted down how many lessons I had to go and realized that I was WAY behind. So, I'm upping the intensity. I have a lot to do if I want to even get through the lessons once, and obviously I wanted to repeat them several times.
I want it noted that I really wasn't slacking off. I've been trying to do them every day, and most of the time I'm successful. Sure, there are days when I just don't get to it, but on the whole I've done very well. Although, if you measure success by how much French I'm capable of, then I really don't have a leg to stand on. Okay, that's not true either. I definitely couldn't hold a conversation in French but I am picking up a little bit of the basics, hopefully enough so that I don't humiliate myself completely. I'm giving myself a gold star for effort and let's just leave it at that.
I know I shouldn't be stressing out over it, but I'm starting to get a little nervous about the trip, and the more French I have in my back pocket, the more comfortable I'll be when I get on the flight. Speaking of stress, I think I've found the perfect way to deal with our exceedingly long layover in Montreal on the way there. The airport has a spa. Heh heh, now that's a vacation.
I want it noted that I really wasn't slacking off. I've been trying to do them every day, and most of the time I'm successful. Sure, there are days when I just don't get to it, but on the whole I've done very well. Although, if you measure success by how much French I'm capable of, then I really don't have a leg to stand on. Okay, that's not true either. I definitely couldn't hold a conversation in French but I am picking up a little bit of the basics, hopefully enough so that I don't humiliate myself completely. I'm giving myself a gold star for effort and let's just leave it at that.
I know I shouldn't be stressing out over it, but I'm starting to get a little nervous about the trip, and the more French I have in my back pocket, the more comfortable I'll be when I get on the flight. Speaking of stress, I think I've found the perfect way to deal with our exceedingly long layover in Montreal on the way there. The airport has a spa. Heh heh, now that's a vacation.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
I'm sure you've heard the old saying, "one step forward, two steps back." (And if not, well, you have now).
I'm pretty sure this saying was written about me, or if not, perhaps one of the good fairies said it while waving her wand over my crib as a baby. (Yes, I am making a Sleeping Beauty reference. I'm glad you caught that). For as long as I can remember, (which, granted, is not that long) my life has been an uphill comedy. I push the boulder up the hill, only to have to come rolling back down on top of me. And more often than not, it has to do with money.
I'm not what you'd call a financially minded person. I'm an impulsive, impatient, creative type that refuses to think things through or stand back and look at things from a strictly logical perspective. It's taken a long time, and a lot of 'avoidable but never avoided' bumps in the road for me to get my act together. And I'm still very much a work in progress.
This summer, I created a new budget. Not just any budget, a thoroughly well thought out, logical, easy to follow budget. And I was so very proud of it. I've made many attempts at budgets before, but they've never really stuck. But this time, I'd created a masterpiece. Why did I do this? Sure, there's the logical, financially responsible reasons. But the real reason, my true purpose, was for Paris. Next summer will be my husband and my fifth wedding anniversary. And I want to spend it in Paris. So, I was trying to look ahead, get our finances in order, and start saving for our beautiful, romantic get away. And things have been going really well. Until my husband found our ice cream melted in our freezer.
It seems our fridge is on its last legs. And although, in the grand scheme of things, it is a minor deviation. I can't help but feel deflated. Because this time it's the fridge. But next month it's the washing machine. And the month after that? The dishwasher. My husband and I have the worst luck when it comes to finances. No matter how hard we try to save, life always throws a wrench in our plans. But I'm trying to remain positive. I'm not going to stop with the budget. I'm going to keep saving. Even if we don't make it to Paris for our fifth anniversary, maybe we'll make it for our tenth. With all the crap that goes wrong in our lives, that's probably how long I'll need to save up for it anyway.
I'm pretty sure this saying was written about me, or if not, perhaps one of the good fairies said it while waving her wand over my crib as a baby. (Yes, I am making a Sleeping Beauty reference. I'm glad you caught that). For as long as I can remember, (which, granted, is not that long) my life has been an uphill comedy. I push the boulder up the hill, only to have to come rolling back down on top of me. And more often than not, it has to do with money.
I'm not what you'd call a financially minded person. I'm an impulsive, impatient, creative type that refuses to think things through or stand back and look at things from a strictly logical perspective. It's taken a long time, and a lot of 'avoidable but never avoided' bumps in the road for me to get my act together. And I'm still very much a work in progress.
This summer, I created a new budget. Not just any budget, a thoroughly well thought out, logical, easy to follow budget. And I was so very proud of it. I've made many attempts at budgets before, but they've never really stuck. But this time, I'd created a masterpiece. Why did I do this? Sure, there's the logical, financially responsible reasons. But the real reason, my true purpose, was for Paris. Next summer will be my husband and my fifth wedding anniversary. And I want to spend it in Paris. So, I was trying to look ahead, get our finances in order, and start saving for our beautiful, romantic get away. And things have been going really well. Until my husband found our ice cream melted in our freezer.
It seems our fridge is on its last legs. And although, in the grand scheme of things, it is a minor deviation. I can't help but feel deflated. Because this time it's the fridge. But next month it's the washing machine. And the month after that? The dishwasher. My husband and I have the worst luck when it comes to finances. No matter how hard we try to save, life always throws a wrench in our plans. But I'm trying to remain positive. I'm not going to stop with the budget. I'm going to keep saving. Even if we don't make it to Paris for our fifth anniversary, maybe we'll make it for our tenth. With all the crap that goes wrong in our lives, that's probably how long I'll need to save up for it anyway.
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